China checks food, water for radiation in 14 areas

BEIJING 
Chinese health authorities say they are monitoring food and drinking water for radiation contamination in 14 provinces and cities in northeastern and coastal areas, after low levels of radioactive material were detected in the northeast.

China has been on high alert for contamination since a nuclear power plant in neighboring Japan started leaking radiation after being damaged in a massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

Chinese authorities say low levels of radioactive iodine-131 were detected in the air above China's northeastern Heilongjiang province over the weekend.

The Health Ministry said on its website Monday that the radioactive material in Heilongjiang was "extremely weak" and did not pose a threat to public health.